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Thornton leads Sharks to 3-2 win over Canucks

Published on NewsOK
Modified: April 2, 2013 at 1:17 am •
Published: April 2, 2013

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SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Speculation swirls around what San Jose might do before the trade deadline, but the Sharks are creating enough of a stir with their play on the ice.

San Jose Sharks center Joe Thornton (19) tries to control the puck as Vancouver Canucks center Jordan Schroeder (45) defends during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Monday, April 1, 2013. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Joe Thornton had a goal and an assist during a second-period scoring flurry and the Sharks beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-2 on Monday night for their fifth straight victory.

San Jose broke a scoreless tie with three goals in a span of 2:13 against Canucks goaltender Cory Schneider, then held on and completed a season sweep of Vancouver.

With Wednesday's trade deadline approaching, Sharks forward Ryane Clowe is rumored to be going to any number of teams. The fact he was a healthy scratch Monday certainly suggested a deal is looming.

Clowe's teammates extended San Jose's longest win streak since taking seven straight to open the season. They remain in the No. 6 playoff position in the Western Conference but trail Los Angeles by just one point for fifth and Vancouver by two points for fourth.

"We're trying to catch some teams now," Thornton said. "Winning feels pretty good. It's contagious and as long as we put a good effort, we feel like we can win every night."

Monday's victory didn't come easy, as the Canucks got a second-period goal from Chris Higgins and a third-period score from Alexandre Burrows to pull within one.

In an effort to spark its offense, Vancouver called up highly-touted winger Nicklas Jensen. The 20-year-old made his NHL debut and played on the top line alongside twins Henrik and Daniel Sedin. Winger Bill Sweatt also was called up from the AHL and played in just his third NHL game.

The Canucks finally kicked it into gear but it was too little, too late.

"You look at all the good teams and they are scoring three goals a game," Higgins said. "We can't expect to win scoring twice. We did a pretty good job of keeping them off the scoresheet for a while. We were looking for a spark in the first period and we didn't get it and then they score three quick goals."

The Sharks dominated the first period, outshooting Vancouver 14-6, but they couldn't convert a couple of prime opportunities.